When it comes to essentials, cookware is the workhorse of the kitchen. A few great pots and pans, or an entire set, will offer the ability to put together a delicious meal for your family. 

From sautéing garlic and onions for pasta to cooking chicken, browning ground beef, and flipping fried eggs, stainless steel cookware is incredibly useful. But with so many options to choose from, what is the best cookware for your needs? Stainless steel cookware is known for its excellent heat retention and versatility, allowing you to go from stovetop to oven. And according to Chef Mike Newton, it’s all about the quality and construction. “The greater thickness of the metal helps with heat retention and even cooking,” he says.

Meet The Expert Chef Mike Newton is a former MasterChef contestant and owner of Newton’s Saddlerack restaurant in Stephenville, Texas.

With solid construction that’s built to last, stainless steel is a top choice for many home cooks. From budget-friendly to splurge-worthy, we found the best stainless steel cookware sets to fit a variety of needs.

Our Top Picks Best Overall Stainless Steel Cookware Set: Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set at Amazon ($292) Jump to Review Best Budget Stainless Steel Cookware Set: Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Collection at Amazon ($190) Jump to Review Best Starter Stainless Steel Cookware Set: Great Jones Precious Metals Cookware Set at Greatjonesgoods.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Splurge Stainless Steel Cookware Set: All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set at Amazon ($900) Jump to Review Best Stainless Steel Cookware Set With Copper: Made In Copper Cookware Set at Madeincookware.com (See Price) Jump to Review Most Durable Stainless Steel Cookware Set: KitchenAid 5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set at Amazon ($499) Jump to Review

　　 Best Overall Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart What’s Great About It Fast, even heat retention

Approachable price point

Versatile 12-piece set

Comes with lifetime warranty

What Could Be Better Only 3-ply construction

Approachable price point meets excellent performance with this top pick from Tramontina. Plus, there’s plenty of pieces included to cook just about anything you can imagine. The 12-piece set comes with a large 8-quart stock pot, 1.5-quart, 2-quart, and 3-quart saucepans, along with a deep sauté pan and two frying pans.

Each piece also comes with a stainless steel lid with the exception of the frying pans. Need a few less items? An 8-piece and 10-piece set of the same design are available as well.

All the pieces in this cookware set are crafted from three-ply clad stainless steel for excellent durability and heat retention. They can be used on any type of stovetop and have cool-touch handles to be able to hold and move the pans with ease. Go from an induction or gas stovetop to the oven to keep a dish warm—just be sure the oven is cooler than 500°F. 

After you’ve cooked a meal, each piece is simple to clean either by using a non-abrasive sponge or cleaning it in the dishwasher. Though, sticking to hand washing will help to ensure your cookware stays in tip-top shape longer.

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 12 | Oven Safe: Up to 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but hand wash recommended | Induction Ready: Yes

　　 Best Budget Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Collection

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Hsn.com What’s Great About It Fast, even heat retention

Budget-friendly price point

Interior measurement markets

Comes with lifetime warranty

What Could Be Better May stain easily

Cost can be a barrier when it comes to finding a full cookware set. This set from Cuisinart brings quality to the table at a lower price point. The 10-piece set includes both an 8-inch and 10-inch skillet, an 8-quart stockpot, and three different saucepans, each with lids. Made out of stainless steel, these pieces heat up quickly and efficiently, with aluminum in the base to make heating more even.

Each piece in this set can be used on gas, electric, and induction stovetops or can be placed in the oven at 450°F or below. They’re dishwasher safe for quick clean-up and come with a lifetime warranty to cover any defects.

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe: 450°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Induction Ready: Yes

　　 Best Starter Stainless Steel Cookware Set

Great Jones Precious Metals Cookware Set

View On Greatjonesgoods.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue View On Urban Outfitters What’s Great About It Fast, even heat retention

Stylish stainless steel and bronze design

Nesting design for easy storage

Oven and dishwasher safe

What Could Be Better No medium-sized saucepan included

While we’ve deemed this as a great starter cookware set, it’s anything but basic. The six-piece set comes with one 8.5-inch frying pan, an 8-quart stock pot with lid, 3-quart saucier with lid, and the brand’s Deep Cut, which is a cross between a deep skillet and sauté pan with a lid.

The pieces in the set are incredibly versatile for a variety of uses whether you’re making soup, scrambling eggs, or trying your hand at making homemade salted caramel sauce.

Each piece is constructed from shiny mirrored stainless steel, which heats up fast, with a bronzed handle for added style. The cookware can be used on any stovetop, including induction, and can be placed in the oven up to 500°F. After popping them in the dishwasher to clean, the pots and pans nest and stack for easy storage. 

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 6 | Oven Safe: 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Induction Ready: Yes

　　 Best Splurge Stainless Steel Cookware Set

All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Cookware Set

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Wayfair What’s Great About It Quick heating and even retention

Brushed stainless steel design

Oven safe to 600°F

Comes with lifetime warranty

What Could Be Better Not dishwasher safe

There’s a reason that All-Clad comes to mind when you hear stainless steel cookware sets. The company has been making cookware since 1971, becoming a household name over several decades. 

This set includes a large stock pot, two saucepans, and a sauté pan, each with handled lids and side handles on the stock pot, larger saucepan, and sauté pan for easy transport from stovetop to table. The set also comes with 8-inch and 10-inch frying pans.

The brushed stainless steel pots and pans are constructed with multiple layers of aluminum and stainless steel, which makes them heat up quickly and easily, while retaining heat and maintaining durability. 

They can be used almost everywhere, with compatibility on any type of stovetop such as gas, electric, or induction. You can also use the pieces in this cookware set in the oven, and they’ll be safe up to an impressive 600°F. Made in the United States, this cookware set also comes with a lifetime warranty for better peace of mind.

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe: 600°F | Dishwasher Safe: Hand wash recommended | Induction Ready: Yes

　　 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Set With Copper

Made In Copper Cookware Set

View On Madeincookware.com What’s Great About It Fast, even heat conductivity

Copper exterior with stainless steel interior design

Oven safe to 800°F

Comes with limited lifetime warranty

What Could Be Better Not dishwasher safe

While stainless steel is quick and efficient at heating up, copper is significantly faster. With better heat conductivity, copper is a go-to choice for many chefs. However, copper isn’t quite as durable. Combining copper and stainless steel not only offers a gorgeous design, but it’s the ideal mix of performance and durability. This seven-piece set provides just that.

Made of 90% copper and 10% stainless steel, the exterior is very conductive, while the interior provides all the benefits of cooking on stainless steel. The set includes a saucepan, saucier, frying pan, and 5.2-quart rondeau. Each pan comes with a lid, with the exception of the frying pan. While this cookware can’t be used on induction cooktops, they can be used in the oven up to a surprising 800°F.

Material: Copper and stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 7 | Oven Safe: 800°F | Dishwasher Safe: No, hand wash only | Induction Ready: No

　　 Most Durable Stainless Steel Cookware Set

KitchenAid 5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart What’s Great About It Fast, even heat conductivity

Warp-resistant aluminum core

Brushed stainless steel base to hide scratches

Comes with lifetime warranty

What Could Be Better May feel too heavy for some

KitchenAid has been long known for its stand mixers, which are the workhorses of many kitchens. With that reputation, it’s no wonder the brand’s cookware would be just as long-lasting.

This 10-piece cookware set checks all the boxes with an 8.25-inch and 10-inch frying pan, two saucepans with lids, and an 8-quart stock pot and 5-quart sauté pan with lids. The saucepans and stock pots have interior measuring marks for both quarts and liters to make liquid measurements simple while cooking.

Each pot and pan in the set is made with three layers of warp-resistant core aluminum and two layers of stainless steel for a five-ply construction that heats up evenly in no time. While the exterior is glossy stainless steel, the base of each pot and pan is brushed to keep your cookware looking its best after years of use. 

Each piece has a dual-riveted handle, with helper handles on the sauté and stock pot making it easier to grip and move hot pans. Want to use them on an induction cooktop? They can tackle the task, along with being used on any other cooktop and in the oven up to 500°F.

Material: Stainless steel | Number of Pieces: 10 | Oven Safe: 500°F | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Induction Ready: Yes

　　 The Bottom Line

Our Best Overall pick is the Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Cookware Set, because it's versatile, easy to clean, and comes with cool-touch handles that make the pans easy to maneuver. For a more budget-friendly choice, the Cuisinart 10-Piece Cookware Set is a great stainless steel option with an aluminum base for quick and even heating.

　　 Tips for Choosing the Right Stainless Steel Cookware

Weight The ideal stainless steel cookware is a mixture of decent weight thanks to durable, multi-ply construction and comfort, making it easy enough to hold and work with. “I like heavier pans and strongly feel that the heavier the pan, the better density and even cooking temperature, which relate to a quality feel to me,” says Newton.

Construction Some stainless steel cookware pieces will be made of stainless steel only. However, more often than not, aluminum is included in the construction. This provides a great balance between quick heating, evenness, retention, and durability. 

According to Newton, the thickness of the metal is key, with a thicker metal resulting in better heat retention and more even cooking. Most stainless steel cookware sets will be at least three-ply, with some boasting thicker five-ply construction.

Newton also notes he prefers stainless steel cookware constructed with strong riveted handles, especially on heavier pans. That stronger construction helps to aid in durability through plenty of wear and tear.

Shape and Size Cookware sets all come in a variety of sizes from five-piece to 10-piece to even 12-piece sets. Within that set are a variety of shapes and sizes of pots and pans. Think about which you’ll use most often and consider the best set based on what’s included. In general, round cookware pieces are best. “The shape of the pan being round or oval can make a difference. The pan needs to fit the surface of your burners for even cooking,” says Newton.

　　 Questions and Answers

Is stainless steel cookware nonstick? No, most stainless steel cookware pieces are not nonstick. They are constructed of multi-ply stainless steel, or stainless steel with aluminum, but do not have a specific nonstick coating. This makes them more versatile and durable. To be sure food doesn’t stick to the pan while cooking, cook with oil or butter.

Can I use metal utensils on stainless steel cookware? Manufacturer’s instructions always recommend against using metal utensils on stainless steel cookware. It’s best to follow that guidance to avoid scratches and extend the life of the cookware. “Metal utensils can scrape your surfaces, so I always fall back on old wooden utensils or thick rubber or plastic as well,” says Newton. His best tip? If you’re using wooden utensils, be sure to wash and dry them thoroughly to avoid any flavors imparting on sauces or other foods.

How much should I expect to pay for a stainless steel cookware set? The cost of stainless steel cookware will all depend on how large of a set you’re looking for, which pieces are included, and the construction of the cookware. “A small starter set can cost as little as $90 and a nice larger set can reach up to $1000,” says Newton. “However, you can expect to spend a fair price of $300 for the average set. Remember, you can always add to your stainless set along the way.”

What’s the best way to clean stainless steel cookware? While some stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe, it’s still best to do a pre-soak to aid in better cleaning. “I always pre-soak and use a handheld non-scratch cleaning wand with a mild detergent,” says Newton.

If food is really baked on or stuck? He suggests an overnight soak. Another helpful option is to add water to the pan, put it back on the stove and bring it to a simmer for a few minutes. Once you remove the pan, dump the water and try cleaning it with a non-abrasive sponge or wand, or let it soak overnight again.

　　 Why Trust Southern Living 

This article was written by Molly Allen, a food and lifestyle writer. Molly is a former bakery owner turned professional baker and recipe developer. To find the best stainless steel cookware, Molly used her own knowledge from years spent in commercial and home kitchens, along with thorough research and insight from first-hand testing. She also spoke to Chef Mike Newton, former MasterChef contestant and owner of Newton’s Saddlerack restaurant in Stephenville, Texas.